As the prospect of getting an H-1B visa sponsorship turns bleak with the visa fee of $100,000, the demand for an Einstein visa, which is meant for extraordinary individuals and which does not need a job offer in the US, has peaked. A CBS News investigation revealed that there are brokers who can make an applicant look ‘extraordinary’ if they are ready to pay. In exchange for payment, their names can be inserted into scholarly articles as co-authors. The clients are mostly from India who are looking for EB-1A or similar employment-based visas, the investigative report suggested. The brokers do not admit that they are doing anything illegal but helping to build the profile of an applicant.
‘Become eligible for an Einstein visa in a few months’
The CBS investigation found out an Arizona-based service run by Indian-origin Ranjeet Mudholkar, an EB1A Green Card recipient, whose website promises clients that they will become eligible candidates for Einstein visas in a few months, and they have 56 individuals who got Einstein visas after completing their programs. But some of the former participants of the program told CBS that they understood later that they were just buying their credentials. The investigation tracked the successful participants and found out that they received an award called the “Globee Business Award” — which is easily obtained by those who pay a fee. Some published scholarly articles in an Indian-based journal, paying fees. Mudholkar told the investigation that his company “does not sell, require, or mandate any specific awards, journals, or publications, nor does it submit evidence without legal review and advisement,” and that “participants retain agency over where they publish.” He said some participants misunderstood the program as they did not get any unethical shortcuts.
What is an Einstein Visa?
The Einstein visa is an informal name for the US EB-1A immigrant visa, officially called the EB-1 Extraordinary Ability green card. This directly leads to a Green Card without much waiting.
10 criteria for the Einstein Visa, as mandates by USCIS
- Lesser nationally or internationally recognized awards
- Membership in associations requiring outstanding achievement
- Published material about you in major media
- Judging the work of others (peer reviewer, jury member)
- Original contributions of major significance
- Scholarly articles in major journals
- Artistic exhibitions or showcases
- Leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
- High salary compared to others in your field
- Commercial success in performing arts
Meeting 3 among the 10 criteria is a must for applicants but USCIS does the final merit determination.